Boots from troops: Program provides boots for those in need

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Robert L. McIlrath
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Students at Sheppard Airmen Leadership School started a military boot donation drive to collect boots for homeless veterans December 2013--and there's no end in sight.

Almost five months later, the "Boots from Troops" drive continues to be successful with the collection of more than 3,000 pairs of boots and giving them to people who need them.

"It all started with Airmen Leadership School class 14-2 in December," said Master Sgt. Kara Parker, Sheppard ALS commandant. "We were doing a winter clothing drive at the time and we were asked if we could get boots."

Airmen get issued two pairs of boots during basic military training. After BMT, Airmen sometimes buy new boots for various reasons, such as comfort, style and weight. Once they have new boots, their old boots usually remain untouched and take up space.

The ALS students set up donation points at their schoolhouse and the Army and Air Force Exchange Service Military Clothing Sales store on base.

"One of the first things Airmen do when they get here is buy new boots, so we encourage them to donate their issued boots to us, so we can give them to veterans," said Sandra Chilenski, clothing sales store manager. "We usually receive about 40 to 50 pairs a week"

The 82nd Force Support Squadron Airmen assignments processing office sent more than 600 Airmen off to their first duty stations after they completed technical training in April 2014. Keying in on this as a possibility, the first collection attempt donated more than 900 pairs of boots.

"When we saw how successful it was, we decided to make the commitment to keep it going," Parker said. "If students want to keep giving, then we will keep donating."

While Airmen pack their duffle bags and suite cases, in some cases, they realize they have acquired too many pairs of boots to carry with them, because they have purchased a brand new pair since graduating basic training. With few programs like the Airman's Attic accepting donations, most pairs were thrown away.

After class 14-2 graduated, the next class came in and picked things up where they left off, realizing the importance and impact the donations could make on someone's life.

"Sometimes people need boots for certain jobs like construction, so it opens up more opportunities for them," Parker said.

Veterans aren't the only ones who have access to the donations.

"The boots are for whoever needs them," Chilenski said.

For more information about donating to veterans, visit www.dav.org/Donate